Toy railway crossover



May 25, 1937. A. N. SMITH TOY RAILWAY CROSSOVER Filed Oct. 20, 1953 2Sheets-Sheet l R. Z W T May 25, 1937. A. N. SMITH TOY RAILWAY CROSSOVER2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 20, 1955 M ATTORNEY.

Patented May 25, 1%37 UETED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOY RAILWAY CROSSOVERPennsylvania Application October 20,

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to tracks for toy railways andparticularly to the form of the track and the crossovers therefor.

It has been the practice in making crossovers for toy railways to clinchthe rails to a central base plate. Such a construction involves theproduction of a large number of parts and con siderable time and laborin their assembly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a crossover for atoy railway that will be composed of a minimum number of parts.

Another object is to provide a crossover in which the main parts thereofare substantially identical and interchangeable.

'Another object is to provide a new form of carryover for a toy railwaycrossover.

Another object is to provide a new form of track for toy railways.

A further object is the provision of a new form of crossover having aninsulated third rail structure, the component parts of which aresubstantially identical and interchangeable.

A still further object is the provision of a new form of carryoveradapted to conduct electrical current in connection with a toy railwaycrossover and to insulate and isolate the current conducting parts fromthat of the crossover which conducts current of an opposite polarity.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following detailed description of the inventionand reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective viewof an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a disassembled perspective view of the parts, showing themanner of assembly thereof;

Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the blanks from which the tracksections of the crossover are formed;

' Figure 4 is a perspective View of my invention equipped with my novelthird rail structure embracing an isolated carryover, and

Figure 5 is a disassembled perspective view of the parts illustrated inFigure 4 and showing the manner of assembly and their correlation toeach other.

Referring particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, 5indicates a track section adapted to be connected to a similar section 5superimposed on the section 5 and at right angles thereto.

As both sections are identically the same in con- 1933, Serial No.694,491

struction, a description of section 6 will suffice for both. The tracksection 6 as seen in Figure 2 is stamped from a single piece of sheetmetal and is of channel formation, the bottom I of the channel formingthe base of the track and the sides 8 forming the rails.

' Intermediate the ends of the channel the metal of the sides 8 is cutaway as at 9 on either side of a center section which is left fiat toprovide wings l i flush with the bottom I and producing a break in therails equal to the width of the track. The sides of the rails are bentoutwardly back upon themselves forming depending flanges l2 andproviding a rounded upper surface l3 forming the tread surface of therails. The adjacent ends of the rails facing the break therein arechamfered as at M so that a neat fit is secured when the crossover isassembled.

The base of the track section is provided with a plurality of slots ISin the area defined by the break in the side rails, said slots beingequal distances apart and equal distances from the center of said areaso that when one track section is superimposed on the other at rightangles the slots in one section will be alined with those of the other.7

For the purpose of securing the superimposed track sections together andto bridge the break in the rail sections, a carryover element It isprovided. This carryover I6 is formed of a single piece of sheet metalproviding a flat center section I! formed with four upstanding sides I8,opposite sides being parallel and in the embodiment illustrated at rightangles to the other sides. The upper portion of the sides I! are bentoutwardly as at IS to provide tread flanges the same height as the rails8.

The center section I! of the carryover has depending ears 2!] strucktherefrom, said ears being equal in number and spaced the same as theslots I5 in the track sections so that when the two track sections arelaid one across the other and the carryover is placed in position asshown in Figure 1, the ears 2!) will pass through the alined slots l5 ofeach section and may then be turned down flush with the base of thebottom section to firmly secure the sections together and the carryoverin position.

When the sections are thus assembled, the projecting wings I l of onesection lie within or under the channel portion of the other, therebystrengthening the joint.

In order to join the adjacent ends of track rails together and toprovide prongs extending from the ends of one of the sections, L-shapedrods 2| with the legs and bases at the same angle as the sections 5 and6 are fitted with the bases 2la underlying the flanges E2 of section 6and the legs 2!?) underlying the flanges l2 of the section 5. Theflanges E2 of both sections are rolled or crimped inwardly to enclosethe rods and'secure them in position. The rods 2! serve the dual purposeof tying the track sections more firmly together and as, at least, oneend of each rod extends beyond the end of the track section to which itis secured, these ends form prongs 2lb for engagement with an adjacenttrack section not shown.

Referring to Figure 3 and to the blank from which the track sections areformed, a indicates the lines along which the bend is made to form thesides or rails 3, and b indicates the lines upon which the flange l2 isturned over to form the tread surface side flanges which aresubsequently rolled in to enclose the rods 2!.

The rods 2! may terminate short of the outer ends of either or both ofthe track sections 5, 6, leaving the tubular openings 22 formed by therolled flanges l2 for the reception of the prongs 23 of a connectorpiece 24. The connector 24 is formed of a short piece of channel-shapedsheet metal conforming to the size of the track sections 5 and 3 andhaving upstanding rail forming sides 25, the upper edges of which arerolled outwardly as at 26 to enclose the center section of lengths ofwire, the projecting ends by which form the prongs 23 which serve tosecure the connector to two meeting sections of track and thus join thetwo together while bridging the gap therebetween.

By the use of this novel connector, track sections may be used in anyfashion to form different designs as either end of any section may bejoined to either end of any other section.

It is to be understood that the foregoing described structure is used inconnection with toy railway assemblies where the toy vehicles are springpropelled or derive their electrical current from an overhead trolleywire arrangement employing the track sections to conduct current of anopposite polarity in relation to the trolley wire.

However, it is desirable in toy railway systems employing electricalpropelling means, that both poles of the current be conducted by thetrack sections as this makes for a more efficient operation of thesystem and a quick assembly of the various parts thereof. The typicalform of structure usually employed utilizes the rails of the tracksections for one pole of the current, While a third rail conducts theother pole, the structure being insulated in a manner to preventshort-circuiting of the current.

Therefore, referring to Figures 4- and 5 of the drawings, I provide mytrack sections 5 and 6 with a novel form of third rail carryover whichserves to connect the usual third rails together and at the same timeinsulates or isolates the carryover from the sections in a manner toprevent short-circuiting.

The third rail carryover comprises two sections, 30a and 3%, adapted tobe superimposed at an angle in relation to each other, each sectionbeing provided at its central portion with a substantial square portion3|, two sides of which are bent in a manner to form channels 32 for theclearance of the wheel flanges of a vehicle. Extending from the channels32 are elongated tapering portions 33 which terminate in rolled portions34 adaptedto receive pins 35 for connection with adjacent third railsections.

The rolled portions are so formed as to provide raised ridges 36 uponthe tapering portions 33 for contacting the third rail shoe of thevehicle and which terminate at the outer walls of the channels 32. Itwill be noted that the channels 32 are of a suflicient width to permitof the reception of pieces 31 or what may be termed auxiliary railsections, which are composed of insulating material, and are secured tothe outer walls of channels 32. The inner faces of the rail pieces 31are held in alinement with the inner surfaces of the cross track sectionrails l3 by the ears 38 formed from the outer walls of the channels.

Both the floors 39 of the channels 32 and the tapering ends of theelongated portions 33 are provided with depending ears 4&3 and 4|respectively, for a purpose hereinafter set forth. The opposite sides ofthe square portions 3| are open as indicated at 42 the square portion ofupper section 30w receiving and aligning the square portion 3| of thesection 30?) whose elongated tapering portions 33 function to connectthe third rails of cross tracks.

As heretofore stated, I employ similar track sections as shown anddescribed in reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3. These sections 5 and 6 aresuperimposed at right angles and each is stamped from a single piece ofsheet metal of a channel formation having a bottom I which forms thebase of the track together with side walls 8 forming the rails. Thesides are cut away as at 9 to provide the wings ll.

The bottom I of the sections are provided with slots 43 and 44 whichreceive the ears 40 and 4| in a manner to be later described. The carsbeing considerably smaller thanthe slots.

Sections of insulating material 45 having projecting portions or wings46 are provided with slots 47 for also receiving therethrough the ears4E! and 4|. However, these slots are of the same size as the ears.

In assembling, the track sections 5 and 6 are superimposed at rightangles to each other, a section of insulating material 45 is placedwithin the channel and on the upper surface of the floor bottom I. Thewings 46 fitting snugly within the side walls 8. Another section ofinsulating material 45 is then placed on the bottom. The slots 4! ofboth sections registering with each other and serve to securely hold allof the parts to' gether.

The similar carryover section 30a is now superimposed at right angles tothe other carryover section 3%, its ears passed through similar slotsand bent over as in the first instance. This arrangement now provides acomplete crossover unit, the various parts being securely and rigidlyheld in place by their nested relation to each other and the bindingaction of the ears. In this form also, the pins 2| are provided andfunction in the same manner as described in reference to Figs. 1, 2 and3.

It will now be readily understood that the carryover which conducts onepole of the electric current is by means of the insulating material,Completely isolated from the track sections conducting the other pole ina manner to prevent short-circuiting of the current.

The pieces 31, as shown in Figure 4, are slightly higher than the ridges36, thus, preventing the periphery of the vehicle wheels from engagingthe ridges 36 and short-circuiting the system.

While the invention has been illustrated in connection with a crossoverat an angle of 90 degrees, it will be readily apparent that the sameconstruction could be used for crossovers at any angle and such use iscontemplated. It will also be understood that various modifications inthe details of construction and assembly may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In a track for toy railways, a crossover in cluding two sections oftrack superimposed at an angle, said sections being of channel-shape incross section and having the sides thereof providing rails, said railproviding sides being cut away intermediate the ends thereof to permitinterfitting of said sections, and a wheel supporting carryover elementconnected to said sections.

2. A crossover for toy railways, comprising intersecting channel membershaving the sides thereof forming track rails and interrupted for thespace of said intersection, the intersecting portions of said channelmembers having alined slots formed therein, and a wheel supportingcarryover element including a plate superimposed on said channel membersat said intersection, said plate having ears extending through saidopenings and serving to secure said carryover to said channel membersand said channel members to each other.

3. A crossover for toy railways, comprising intersecting channel membershaving the sides thereof forming track rails and interrupted for thespace of said intersection, the intersecting portions of said channelmembers having alined slots formed therein, and a wheel supportingcarryover element including a plate superimposed on said channel membersat said intersection, said plate having ears extending through saidopenings and serving to secure said carryover to said channel membersand said channel members to each other, said plate having upstandingflanges at opposite sides thereof adapted to bridge the interruptionbetween the rails of said channels at said intersection.

4. A crossover for toy railways comprising intersecting channel membershaving upstanding sides forming track rails, said rails beinginterrupted at said intersection with the interrupted rail ends of onemember meeting the interrupted rail ends of the other member at anangle, rod elements bent to the angle of said meeting ends, the upperedges of said rail forming sides being bent over to embrace theangularly disposed ends of said rods to form a connection between themeeting ends of said rails, and wheel supporting carryover means betweenthe interrupted rails.

5. A crossover for toy railways comprising intersecting channel membershaving upstanding sides forming track rails, said rails beinginterrupted at said intersection with the interrupted rail ends of onemember meeting the interrupted rail ends of the other member at anangle, and a wheel supporting carry over element disposed in saidintersection comprising a plate having means for bridging theinterruptions between said rails, and providing means for securing saidcarryover to said channel members and said channel members to eachother.

6. A crossover for toy railways comprising intersecting channel membershaving upstanding sides forming track rails, said rails beinginterrupted at said intersection with the interrupted rail ends of onemember meeting the interrupted rail ends of the other member at anangle, and a wheel supporting carryover element disposed in saidintersection comprising a plate having means for bridging theinterruptions between said rails, and providing means for securing saidcarryover to said channel members and said channel members to eachother, rod elements bent to the angle of said meeting ends, the upperedges of said rail forming sides being bent over to embrace theangularly disposed ends of said rods to form a connection between themeeting ends of said rails.

7. A third rail carryover for toy electric rai1 way crossoverscomprising a central portion ter minating in oppositely disposedelongated tapering portions provided with channels interposed betweensaid central portion and said tapering portions and auxiliary wheelsupporting track sections of insulating material secured within saidchannels, said tapering portions being electrically connected togetherand capable of supporting a current collector passing thereover.

8. In a crossover for toy railroad tracks comprising pair of platemembers, a pair of laterally spaced rails carried by each plate memberand interrupted intermediate their ends to provide gaps, wheelsupporting carryover means at said gaps, the plate members beingsuperimposed crosswise at the site of said gaps to bring aboutsubstantial engagement of adjacent angularly disposed rails of therespective plate members, and means connecting the superimposed portionsof said plates.

9. In a crossover for toy railroad tracks comprising a pair of platemembers, a pair of laterally spaced rails carried by each plate memberand interrupted intermediate their ends to provide gaps, the platemembers being superimposed cross wise at the site of said gaps to bringabout substantial engagement of adjacent angularly disposed rails of therespective plate members, and means carried by the angularly disposedrails of the respective plates for connecting the rails and holding theplates in assembly.

10. In a crossover for toy railroad tracks comprising a pair of platemembers, a pair of laterally spaced rails carried by each plate memberand interrupted intermediate their ends to provide gaps, the platemembers being superimposed crosswise at the site of said gaps to bringabout substantial engagement of adjacent angularly disposed rails of therespective plate members, a wheel supporting carryover member upon theuppermost plate at the site of said gap, and means connecting saidplates and carryover member in assembly.

11. In a crossover for toy railroad tracks comprising a pair of platemembers, a pair of laterally spaced rails carried by each plate memberand interrupted intermediate their ends to prog;

vide gaps, the plate members being superimposed crosswise at the site ofsaid gaps to bring about substantial engagement of adjacent angularlydisposed rails of the respective plate members, and means including awheel supporting carryover member for connecting said plate members atthe site of said gap.

12. In a toy railway crossover, a pair of crossed track carrying plates,substantially tubular tread providing track rails carried by therespective plates and providing gaps intermediate their ends whereby theplates may be juxtaposed in crossed flatly contacting relationship;wheel supporting carryover means in said gaps, and angularly bentconnector rods having their ends engaging within the treads of the gapends of adjacent angularly disposed rails of diilerent plates whereby toconnect said plates and reinforce said rail treads.

13. In a toy railway crossover, a pair of crossed I plates, tracksections carried thereby and having cutouts intermediate their endsproviding a gap, a track section-providing wheel supporting carryover atsaid gap and connecting the plates together, and track section portionsof said carryover being aligned with the track sections of each saidplates.

14. The combination of a toy railway crossover having angularly disposedtracks, the rails of which are interrupted to provide a gap, a thirdrail carryover comprising crossed elongated plate members, said platemembers providing current collector supporting portions extendingbetween the'rails of each of said tracks and providing depressions andtransverse shoulders adjacent said gap, and wheel supporting tracksections of insulating material carried by each of said shoulders andaligned with the rails of said tracks.

15 The combination of a toy railway crossover having angularly. disposedtracks, the rails of which are interrupted to provide a gap, a thirdrail carryover comprising crossed elongated plate members, said platemembers providing current collector supporting portions extendingbetween the rails of each of said tracks and providing depressions andtransverse shoulders at the site of said gap, and wheel supporting tracksections carried by each of said shoulders in alignment with rails ofsaid tracks, said wheel supporting track sections being free ofelectrical connection with said plate members.

16. The combination of a toy railway crossover having angularly disposedtracks, the rails 01 which are interrupted to provide a tap, a thirdrail carryover comprising crossed elongated plate members, said platemembers providing current collector supporting portions extendingbetween the rails of each of said-tracks and providing depressions atthe site of said gap, and Wheel supporting track sections carried byeach of said plate members at-vthe site of said depression and alignedwith rails of said tracks, said wheel supporting track sections beingfree of electrical connection with said plate members.

- ANTHONY N. SMITH.

